Feral and Stray Cats— an Important Difference

Behavior Behavior

FERAL AND STRAY CATS— AN IMPORTANT DIFFERENCE

eral, stray, and pet cats are all members of the same species; they are all domestic cats. But Fstray cats and feral cats are also different from each other in a very important way—in their relationship to and interactions with people.

Whether you are a shelter worker, veterinarian, or feral cat What is the difference between a stray cat advocate—or you just share your neighborhood with feral and a feral cat? cats—knowing how to tell the difference can help inform how best to interact with a cat or what, if any, intervention would Pet and stray cats are socialized to people. be in each cat’s best interest. Feral cats are not socialized to people. While they are socialized to their colony members and bonded to each other, they do not What is socialization? have that same relationship with people.

We use the term “socialized” to mean cats who are friendly towards people—or cats who enjoy companionship with us in Stray our homes. • A stray cat is a cat who has been socialized to people at some point in her life, but has left or lost her domestic Kittens becomes socialized home, as well as most human contact and dependence. by interacting with • Over time, a stray cat can become feral as her contact with people—being held, spoken humans dwindles. to, and played with—from • Under the right circumstances, however, a stray cat can an early age. If a kitten does also become a pet cat once again. Stray cats that are not become accustomed re-introduced to a home after living outdoors may require to people holding her and a period of time to acclimate; they may be frightened and petting her within this wary after spending time outside away from people. crucial window, she will • Another definition that may help: grow up apprehensive of -- “A stray cat is a domestic cat that has been abandoned humans and will not be or has ‘strayed’ from home and become lost. Stray suited to or happy living in [cats] were once pets and they can usually be homes. successfully rescued and placed in homes.” –Stray Cat Handbook

Feral Alley Cat Allies recognizes that • A feral cat is a cat who has either never had any contact a cat’s level of socialization and with humans or her contact with humans has diminished behavior is not always black over time. She is fearful of people and survives on her own and white, particularly for outdoors. A feral cat is not likely to ever become a lap cat feral cats who recognize their or enjoy living indoors. caregiver. They may show signs • Kittens born to feral cats can be socialized at an early of familiarity, such as a tail up age and adopted into homes. or hanging out on a caregiver’s porch, but these behaviors are usually limited to the cat’s Why does it matter? interaction with the caregiver and only develop after building • Stray cats can readjust to living with people and can be a relationship over time. Always adopted as companions. remember: this does not mean • Adult feral cats are not socialized to people, which means that the cat is a good candidate they cannot be adopted. As a result, they are likely to for living indoors. be killed if picked up by animal control or brought to shelters, so it is in their best interest to continue living outdoors. How do I tell feral and stray cats apart once • Stray and and feral cats can be difficult to tell apart, I have trapped them? especially when they are trapped or frightened. Scared stray cats often need time to relax and show their When in a frightening or stressful environment—such as a level of socialization. Learn more at www.alleycat.org/ trap or a shelter—a friendly stray cat may act like a feral cat, FauxFerals. avoiding people and possibly even showing aggression to avoid • Trap-Neuter-Return takes into account each cat’s level (or being touched. “A lot of cats seem feral in traps but are just degree) of socialization to determine the best environment afraid,” explains Alley Cat Allies Feral Friend Genevieve Van for them. Feral cats are returned to their outdoor home de Merghel. Who can blame them? The cat is in a new and after being trapped and neutered. Socialized cats and unfamiliar place. kittens can be adopted into homes. Table 2 (located on page 4) details some ways that will help distinguish a feral cat from a scared stray cat when they are How do I tell the difference when the cats frightened, confined, or in a new place. are outdoors?

Since it is difficult to determine each cat’s socialization during a What do I do next? stressful event such as trapping, it’s a good idea to observe cats on their own outdoors using the guidelines in Table 1 (located Once you have evaluated a cat and feel like you have a sense on page 3). Remember that these guidelines are not hard of the cat’s level of socialization, the next step is to get the cat and fast rules and that just one of these traits is probably not neutered. From there, use your evaluation to do what’s in the enough to draw a conclusion. cat’s best interest: • For scared stray cats: Maximize their chance of adoption Bottom line: If a cat you don’t know approaches you or if you into a home. Visit www.alleycat.org/FauxFerals. can touch her, she is most likely not feral. Not all stray cats will • For calm stray cats: Find them a good adoptive home. do this though, especially at first—each cat will act differently Visit www.alleycat.org/FindingAHome. in a variety of situations. More monitoring using the guidelines • For feral kittens: Socialize them for adoption. Visit found in Table 1 may be necessary to determine if the cat is www.alleycat.org/Kittens. socialized. • For feral cats: Return them to their colony home outdoors. Visit www.alleycat.org/Trap-Neuter-Return.

Table 1 Stray Cats Feral Cats

Socialization to Humans May approach people, houses, porches, or cars Will not approach and will likely seek hiding places to avoid people Socialization to Other Cats Will likely live alone, not be May belong to a colony part of a group Body Language Might walk and move like a housecat, such as May crawl, stay low to the ground, and protect walking with tail up - a sign of friendliness body with tail

Will probably look at you, blink, or make eye contact Unlikely to make eye contact Vocalization May be vocal, meow, or “answer” your voice Won’t meow, beg, or purr Schedule More likely to be nocturnal; occasionally out Will be visible primarily during the daytime during the day Physical Appearance Will probably have a clean, well kept coat

A male with a big head and thick neck, muscular body, and/or scars from fighting is more likely to be feral, since these are traits associated with intact males Will probably be dirty or disheveled (and only 2% of feral cats are neutered in the U.S.). He may also have a spiky coat from high testosterone levels and less time spent grooming; may also have “stud tail”—hair loss, greasiness, or bumps at the base of the tail due to hormones. Will likely have an eartip if neutered as part Will not have an eartip of a TNR program Pregnancy, Nursing, Kittens A female who is pregnant or lactating is more likely to be feral, since only 2% of feral cats are neutered in the U.S.

Table 2 Stray Cats Feral Cats

Touch Barrier It may be possible to touch the cat eventually or she may tolerate a small amount of touching with Can not be touched, even by a caregiver an object Cage Behavior May come to the front of the cage Will likely stay in the back of the cage and retreat as far back as possible

If jolted or frightened, may shake, rattle, or climb the May eventually rub against the cage in a friendly way cage, and could become injured banging into the cage Level of Relaxation May relax over time Will remain tense and unsocial Responsiveness Will likely ignore all people and toys, and May investigate toys or food placed near the cage possibly even food May respond to household sounds like cat food Will not show any familiarity or interest in cans or bags being opened household sounds Fear and Anxiety May hiss or growl to show anxiety Will be aggressive and lash out if threatened or cornered (signs of aggression include ears back and eyes dilated)